Elegant Simplicity in Black and White

A look of simple elegance is reflected both in her choice of Movado Museum Watch and in the layers of black, understated pearls and exquisitely detailed cardigan by J. Crew.

Weddings Photography

As the wedding season approaches, it occurs to me that this blog comprises a database of Chattanooga's most eligible young people. If you look this good on the street, your nuptials are bound to be awesome and I would like to be the photographer. May 22nd is already booked. Please follow the picture link to a Flickr portfolio.

Stone Cup Scene

Today's visit to Frazier Avenue found another mix of "nice, crazy pattern" by the rogues gallery of banned authors in Stone Cup. Her husband believes that the skirt may be an upcycled curtain.

She found it and the boots while thrifting. The sweater is a hand-me-down from mom, the scarf a gift, but the earrings are of her own making.

Mexican Leather Jacket

It's all in the details: his waxed moustache, frayed denim, thrifted shirt, bandana and that Mexican stitching.

"A Nice, Crazy Pattern"

boots: vintage
tights: FREE PEOPLE
sweater: thrifted
dress: original by Bridget Astronette for LEO

Another Winter Hat and Scarf

Textures and earth tones set the stage for a firey splash of warmth in her well considered ensemble.

Winter Lights

Festive red accents light up a riverside evening at the Chattanooga Theatre Centre's production of A Christmas Carol.

A Winter's Tale

Some articles of clothing become old friends, like this cape, a gift from her parents that she looks forward to wearing every winter. Navy tights coordinate with the satin blouse, whose pleated placket chimes with her skirt while suede pumps defy today's rain. See detail photo for the cable knit edge of her cardigan sweater. Such a cohesive look is the reward of a lifelong interest in stylish assemblages.

Winter Hats and Scarves

Be Magazine

Sometimes the success of an event can be measured in the volume of following up that it requires. The MAINx24 Fashion Show @ The Choo Choo has yet to leave a void in my schedule. Images from the event have been flowing into the Facebook page and it has been a pleasure to share with you style blog postings from newbies Jank Is Swank and Wire Hangers. Yesterday found me in the studios of WUUQ recording a segment of Speak Out with Missy Crutchfield that will air Sunday morning betwen 9 and 10 on 97.3 and 99.3 fm.

Ms. Crutchfield runs Chattanooga's Department of Education, Arts and Culture. She is also a mom, and if that's not work enough, has begun with Melissa Turner their own exploration of paperless publishing, Be Magazine, so named for Gandhi’s famous quotation Be the change you wish to see in the world. It was the upcycled elements of our fashion show that caught the ladies' attention and Missy's ideas to engage the youth of our city jibed nicely with some that Sondra and I had been kicking around. Oh, and like all busy people, she had time to do one more thing. Thanks for sharing your sartorial sense, Missy.

Thrifting in St. Elmo and Beyond

The only thing more fun than shopping for vintage clothing is shopping for the vintage clothing store. Sondra and Travis have returned from just such an adventure in secret places out of state to bring us the goodies seen here. Her 1970's cowgirl dress coordinates with the vinyl Honeysuckle Rose soundtrack in all its gatefold album glory. That's right: 576 square inches of artwork, liner notes and lyrics. So what if the hat or these men's shirts anticipate warmer days? Thrifting is a year round sport of science and serendipity.

More MAINx24 Fashion Show @ The Choo Choo from Wire Hangers

Once again, The Chattanoogan is pleased to post a link to another new style blog, Wire Hangers. 2009 is looking more and more like a watershed year for local fashion.

MAINx24 Fashion Show at the Choo Choo by Jank Is Swank

The Chattanoogan welcomes fellow style bloggers Jank is Swank to the local scene. Please click on the image to see their coverage of the MAINx24 Fashion Show @ The Choo Choo.

Rainy Day Layering

There's a lot going on here in shades of olive, purple, gray and black, all anchored by those boots. Need more? Visit her 'blog, jank is swank.

First Anniversary

So sweetly sang the bluebirds on the vintage dress that Tobi Weldon of Ivey Handcrafted was moved to make them an unique headdress of ecofelt.

This 'blog today recorded its 11,000th view. Lost in the whirl of Saturday was its first anniversary. The 2008 MAINx24 fashion show featured in its fourth posting became this year's co-production of Collective Clothing and The Chattanoogan.
2010 is looking awesome already!

MAINx24 Fashion Show @ The Choo Choo

More than a fashion show, what we saw today was a catalytic moment. Bloggers, crafters, designers, models, photographers, publishers, promoters, resellers, stylists, upcyclers and a videographer converged upon the Choo Choo Garden Terrace to give account of their avocations, all in the spirit of MAINx24. Organizing this event was a pleasure. You wanted it. Sondra and I simply gave you an outlet. Thanks for making it memorable. Please have look here for more photos on Facebook.

Red on White

Chattanooga awakened to a dusting of snow Saturday. The rosette is crafty repurposing of a zipper that she found on Etsy and her winter coat a thrifted Belk's of Charlotte original.

Details

Boots that chime with her western blouse, a classic pea coat, the crafty rosette and a perfectly wrapped scarf prove once more that it's not what you wear but how you rock it.

A Seasonal Salute

Reduce, Reuse and Recycle is a favorite mantra of

The Chattanoogan, who recently learned a new term:

upcycle. Yes, renewed purposes elevate their constituent materials. These window dressings at River City Apparel

on Frazier Avenue lend another dimension to holiday cheer.

MAINx24 Fashion Show @ The Choo Choo

Isn't Megan the Best Margot Ever? And what a gorgeous poster by the amazing Abigail! Come to see them and all that Chattanooga has to offer the MAINx24 Fashion Show @ The Choo Choo. The last train left this station in 1970, but at 4pm Saturday the yellow trolley returns, filled with both period fashions and the timeless art of clothing design plus an up to date look at local roles in the crafts marketing phenomenon. This event is a co-production of Collective Clothing and The Chattanoogan.

Monday Afternoon

Today's good fortune followed me to North Chattanooga, where this stylish father and daughter appeared on Frazier Avenue. Click on the image to see it larger for the darling applique to her denim skirt and the subtle check pattern in his trousers.

Monday Morning

Mondays are under-rated. Today The Chattanoogan presents two stylish portraits from the southside, both encountered before 9am. His blue and brown palette offers a muted counterpoint to her vibrant, autumn orange. Urbane folk aboard city bikes have captured the attention of 'blogs like Copenhagen Cycle Chic, Portland's vélocouture and Vélo Vogue in San Francisco.

The MAINx24 cup sleeve reminds us that twelve days remain 'til that party 'round the clock. Please make time for the 4pm Fashion Show at The Choo Choo, a co-production of The Chattanoogan and Collective Clothing, whose model looks will be inspired by Wes Anderson films. Crafters Tobi Gray Weldon and Karen Rudolph will provide accessories. Dressmakers Erin Burnap and Kimara Dawn have graciously fitted our event to their busy schedules.

City Cycling

Her Elektra Amsterdam is a souvenir of living in Switzerland and the Miroesque scarf a Target find.

Duffle Coat

His grandfather in Philadelphia first wore this elegant winter hat, union-made in the U.S.A.

Autumn Color in Riverview

Dramatic black sets off the well-coordinated colors in her sleeves and styling.

Military Surplus

His laptop goes mobile in a bit of Chinese military surplus from a store in Detroit. Departing from Broad Street, the Chattanooga Ducks offer visitors an unique tour of the city's Tennessee River frontage.

Northshore Style

Autumn Color Downtown

Some days see themes develop. Friday's posts had in common clothing as travel souvenirs. A lunch hour tour of Market and Broad Streets today saw stylish folk in reds, perhaps inspired by the leaf season. The closeup of his polished boots also displays a sharp crease in those overalls. Fans of Beethoven, Brahms and Wagner should enjoy this CSO performance at the Tivoli Theater.

Appliqué at the Normalpalooza

Crafty touches of her own to the lapels complement the dress from Anthropologie.

From New Zealand to Main Street

We call them thrifts. In the UK, they are known as charity shops. To the antipodeans, resellers are opportunity shops. His amazing jacket cost 50p at the op shop. Both of today's postings are reminiscent of this earlier, travel souvenirs duo.

City Cyclist Revisited

Keeping warm in Chattanooga is a breeze in a coat that she acquired while visiting St. Petersburg.


So much has been said about style vs safety that this second photo is included to demonstrate that she takes precautions for both her arrival and departure.